All of us have those days when doing the simplest of tasks can seem almost Herculean in nature. Whether it’s because we’ve been stressing ourselves out too much lately, or because we’ve forgotten what it feels like to simply kick back and relax for a little while, some days can really suck.

Don’t worry because I’ve got a few very handy, very simple tips for self-care that will make you feel just a little better when you badly need to take a breather. I took great care to curate a list that is not only simple but is also full of hacks that won’t take you too much time or effort.

Here’s how you can practice self-care without too much effort (because self-care is all the effort you’ll need anyway):

1. Curate an upbeat playlist.
Whenever I feel stressed out or just down, I listen to music. And it always works. This doesn’t take too much of your time because you can play music as you work, too! And you can carry your personal cheerer-upper anywhere with you. Pick put the songs that make you the happiest and make a playlist out of them. There are so many apps that allow you to do that today. Take your pick.

2. Hydrate.
A lot of times, when we feel absolutely crappy, it’s because we have not been drinking enough water. Low levels of hydration can cause our brain to function slower than usual and everything else seems to suck. In a more sciencey version, drinking water helps improves our cognitive performance when it comes to processing and memory. Drinking water not only makes you happier, but it also promotes healthier skin and body. So grab your water bottle and take a swig right now!

3. Journaling.
When you cannot find an outlet for the way you’re feeling, you can always journal on the go. It doesn’t even have to be an elaborately decorated bullet-journal. You can always use the app ‘Private Diary’ or simply type in a few words here and there when you feel like you need a little bit of catharsis. Let it all out. It’s one of the best forms of self-care.

4. Visualize.
Making a vision board and keeping it right where you can see it when you need to remind yourself just what it is that you’re aiming for right now can do wonders in keeping you motivated and lifting your mood. Suddenly, things won’t seem so bad because you’re working hard for something you actually love. If you don’t want to make a vision board, you can always take a few minutes to close your eyes and visualize your goals to remind yourself of your purpose.

5. Write down positive affirmations.Writing down positive things like ‘You are strong’ or ‘You can do this’ on post-its or even the margins of your notepads can immediately make you feel so much better. Think of it as a reminder to love and appreciate yourself for all the hard work that you have been doing lately. To keep yourself going, it helps when you are also able to give yourself a pat on your own back sometimes. Be your own best friend that way.

Things might not always go the way we want them to. It’s okay to feel low for a little while. But in the process, don’t forget to give yourself the love that you deserve. Bad times are temporary, but your relationship with your own self is more important.

Be kind to yourself. Don’t forget that.

Hey guys! I hope you liked this post. Let me know in the comments below or share with someone you might wanna show this to! You can also reach out to me and say ‘Hi’ on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
The Shubhster.